Wednesday, May 26, 2010

I love it for so many reasons:1. open windows with cool summer breezes blowing through2. beachfronts filled with sun loving people3. summer festivals4. vacation and national holidays5. outdoor concerts6. gardens in bloom7. kids playing outside 8. the ice cream truck driving down our street9. picnics and grilled burgers and brats10. capris, sleeveless shirts and sandals11. warm sunshine on my skin

This memorial day weekend, I will think of those who are fighting in foreign lands while I enjoy my summer day so freely walking along Chicago's lakeshore; one of my favorite places to relax. With only 9 days to go until my AVON Walk, I am excited for what the summer will bring. Hope this weekend brings you some fun and tranqulity as well.

Monday, May 24, 2010

It was HOT today here in Wisconsin. 90 degrees in May...unbelievable!! My garden is in gear and I am ready to put up that pool! I am thrilled...my skin is not.

My skin really takes a beating this time of year. I already have my summer feet. For three to four months, the bottom of my feet go from lily white to shall we say earth-toned. I will not feel dry until September from all the sun screen and moisturizer and bug spray. And my hair...forget about it. My mop will be a frizzy mess until Halloween.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

The past couple of months have been incredible- I have been preparing for my walk in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in June since March. When I started I was doing it mainly because I wanted to do something big to make a difference. Never did I guess it would benefit me personally in so many ways. I have met some dedicated women (and men) while working on fundraising events and training on Chicago's lakefront and in parks. My team mates, the Holy Apostles Pink Ribbon Angels have raised more than $70,000 for the cause and are 2nd in the nation. Many of them have completed the walk 2 or more times.

I also amazed at what my body can do- after walking 14 miles this weekend, I thought I would be a whole lot more sore, but, I am not. (Mind you, I was able to do this with the advice of my team mates). I am motivated to keep going so that I am able to complete the whole 26 (some women are walking 39, but, since it is my first year I opted for less).

Now that it is only two weeks away- I am looking forward to completing my journey for me and so many other women, but, I can't do it without your help. Go to http://www.avonwalk.org/goto/karimunoz to make a donation.

This is such an important cause to me because of the special people I have known who were directly affected by this disease. Thankfully, they were able to overcome it. Chances are that someone you know and love has been affected by it as well. This year, an estimated 40,000 women will die from the disease. Another woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes and an estimated three million women are living with breast cancer. One million of them don't yet know it.

With the donations raised, the Avon Foundation will provide support and resources for women affected by this terrible disease. This will help people in our own community and throughout the country. Any amount you can give is great; I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Visit my personal webpage to make a donation and you will be entered into a drawing for one of two prizes:

A brand new personal mp3 player complete with some motivating music that I will send to you or, for those of you in the Chicago area, a gift certificate for a wine tasting at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant. Visit the web site at http://www.coopershawkwinery.com.

Thanks for your consideration! If you want to read more blogs about the AVON Walk experience, go to http://www.inittoendit.org/

Monday, May 10, 2010

Mine was great! I am soooooooo spoiled! My husband and younger daughter put together such a beautiful day. They made a gourmet breakfast together complete with mimosas and table clothes. I got flowers and chocolate and candles...they sure know me well. Then, we went out to lunch and back home for a gourmet dinner. And, I didn't have to lift a finger...

...until today. But you know what, I didn't even mind the extra dishes and extra laundry today. It didn't put me that far back and yesterday was so perfect, it didn't matter. Awesome!!

And, the gifts keep giving. As a mother, I have volunteered a lot at school this year. As such, I am being honored at the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast tomorrow. I am going to soak this in because next year, I won't be eligible because...

I am going to be the Vice-President of the PTO. They saw me coming:-) But I love it.

Also tomorrow, I am going to be recognized as a leader for Girl Scouts with a nice dinner. How fun is that?

Thursday, May 6, 2010

I am pulling out all of the stops for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in Chicago that I will be participating on June 5-6. It is a month away and I am stepping up my training. I walked nearly 10 miles this weekend again and will be walking everyday to get in shape and eventually make it to 13 miles two days in a row. With my hard work and your contributions, I will be able to accomplish my goal of walking 26 miles to make a difference. I can't do it without your help!

Visit my personal webpage to make a donation and you will be entered into a drawing for one of two prizes:

A brand new personal mp3 player complete with some motivating music that I will send to you or, for those of you in the Chicago area, a gift certificate for a wine tasting at Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant. Visit the web site at http://www.coopershawkwinery.com

This is such an important cause to me because of the special people I have known who were directly affected by this disease. Thankfully, the women I know were able to overcome it. Chances are that someone you know and love has been affected by it as well; there's an estimated three million women living with breast cancer. One million of them don't yet know it.

With the donations raised, the Avon Foundation will provide support and resources for women affected by this terrible disease. This will help people in our own community and throughout the country. Any amount you can give is great; I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

The Women

Susie is a happily married thriving stay-at-home mom of her 5 and 19-year old daughters, a tireless caretaker of her elderly mother and budding blogger and entrepreneur. You may know her from Susie's Homemade .

Brenda is a mostly stay-at-home mom to her preschool-age son. After twelve years as a high school German teacher, she is now is an adjunct instructor of German at the community college level and also teaches German to six to nine year olds at Houston's German Saturday School, where her son also attends a weekly Kindergarten. She and her husband reside in Tomball, Texas, northwest of Houston. Brenda spends her free time reading, exploring Houston, traveling, and engaging in all things German!

Kari is an instructional designer working on development of online courses for adult education. She and her husband, Ben, live in Chicago where she enjoys taking photos, volunteering, visiting the museums, and exploring the city.

Diane tires of the mundane easily. That's why she got a kickin' job as a journalist, but as a result, she doesn't have time for much else. Despite that, she managed to get married and have a beautiful 4-year-old daughter. She is also pregnant right now. So be nice.